Completion

 Welcome to the Daily Bible Chapter. My name is James Leroy Wilson and I invite you to join me as I attempt to read the Bible with fresh eyes, as if I don't know anything about it, and without consulting experts on what it "really" means. Let's see where this takes us! 

Joshua 21

I'm reading Young's Literal Translation (YLT) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV).

The assignment of cities to the Levites completes the saga that began with Moses encountering the burning bush early in Exodus. 

More broadly it completes the story that began in Genesis with Abraham being called out of Ur to settle Canaan. For three generations his family had wandered before moving to Egypt. 

Early on, I began to notice which nations descended from which sons of Noah, and later, which nations descended from Abraham. Abraham (and Lot) descended from Shem, while Canaan and Egypt descended from Ham.

Shem seemed to represent the spiritual self, whereas Ham represented a consciousness that was enslaved by the material world. The role of Shem was to subdue Ham. Israel was to subdue Canaan.

The presence of Levites throughout all the land of Israel is a reminder to the other tribes of who they are and where they came from. They are children of Spirit, of God, not the flesh or the land. 

The promise of the LORD to Israel was fulfilled. The only reason it took so long - over 40 years - is that the Israelites themselves were fearful. 

Israel had to conquer itself, its own fear, before it could conquer others.

Likewise, we must conquer fear - have faith - before we can bring about the changes we'd like to see in the world.

James Leroy Wilson writes Daily Miracles, The Daily Bible Chapter, JL Cells, and The MVP Chase. Thanks for your subscriptions and support! You may contact James for your writing, editing, and research needs: jamesleroywilson-at-gmail.com.

(Photo credit: TyshkunVictor)